Families seeking a truly magical pre-Christmas adventure need look no further than the Dorset coast this weekend. The picturesque town of Weymouth is hosting a spectacular Elf Parade with an ambitious goal: to smash the world record for the largest gathering of elves.
A Day of Festive Fun
The event takes place on Saturday, November 29, and organisers are calling for a massive 1,792 elves to join the fun and secure the record. The festivities begin between 9am and noon, where aspiring elves can get ready with creative workshops for hat-making, ear crafting, collar design, and face-painting.
At 12pm, participants must register at the Weymouth Pavilion to collect their official wristbands and be counted for the record attempt. Photo opportunities will be available from 1pm, just before the main event kicks off.
The Grand Parade and Evening Entertainment
The highlight of the day is the grand parade, running from 1pm until 2.15pm. The streets will be packed with singing elves, the cheerful sound of bells, and a procession led by stilt-walking elves and Santa himself in his sleigh.
After the parade, the celebration continues on the main stage at New Bond Street from 2pm to 6pm. The stage will host performances from local choirs, dance groups, and live bands including ‘Under the Carousel’ and ‘The Wilkinsons’.
The day culminates at 5pm when the Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Caroline Nickinson, will switch on the town’s Christmas lights, illuminating a giant sleigh and a colossal elf. The evening will then be filled with live music from ‘The Hooked’, encouraging everyone to dance into the night.
Refuelling at a Local Gem
All this festive activity is sure to work up an appetite. For a delicious pitstop, the EBIKE café on the harbour comes highly recommended. Serving brunch and paninis, it boasts an impressive 4.8-star Google rating. One happy reviewer wrote: “Excellent breakfast and coffee in a fabulous location... We had a very warm welcome from Josephine, the owner. Highly recommended.”
How to Get There
Getting to the fun from the capital is straightforward. You can catch a direct train from London Waterloo to Weymouth. The journey takes approximately two hours and forty minutes, with direct services running roughly every hour, making it a perfect day trip for Londoners.
